Riddle Heights Clamour

There was a clamour around the foothills that morning as dozens of caribou crowded along the mountain river, their bellows filling the air. The whites of their eyes showed as they followed the movements of the lone wolf, the stench of fear permeating through the air. They moved as a fluid unit, always away from the predator, creating a wall between him and their young and weak. The wolf, however, was not interested in them. He walked with a heavy limp, his tongue lolling out of his mouth with the pain. He had injured himself the previous day as he was walking across the loose stones of the foothills. He was desperate for a drink of water, and had followed the damp scent of the river bank. The caribou were between him and the river, however, and he could not get through the tourbillion of bodies. He paused, sprained paw in the air, panting heavily. His hazel eyes watched them carefully, but he saw no way to get through. He would have to wait.
    The day dragged on, and Darkmoon continued to wait. The sun beat down on the mountainside and made his eyes droop. He took a moment to reflect on his time in Relic Lore, but after his short and turbulent meeting with Morganna, it had largely been uneventful. Spring had become summer, and the days had grown longer and hotter; but he had come across no wolves as he ventured west then back east to end up in Riddle Heights.
    Back in the present, Darkmoon's muscles had grown tired and lazy in the sun's heat, and he laid his head on his paws. The caribou had calmed by this time, but it suddenly felt like a tremendous effort to make his way down to the river. He would go, eventually, only maybe later...later...he thought, as he drifted off to sleep.

(This post was last modified: Jul 05, 2016, 02:00 PM by Darkmoon.)

Sorry Ren is going through stuff >.< but I'm trying to expand him :P

Renier Lyall
you can set yourself on fire, but you're never gonna learn

The last few weeks had tested his limits. He had always been one for a challenge, and that alone might have kept him going. But most of his encounters hadn't been bad. Gaining information, and being reminded there was more than just himself did him a world of good. Expanding himself bit by bit, and starting to form an idea of what he could do. What he wanted to do, and live for himself. He wasn't expandable.

There were moments he felt himself wane, and he would wonder how she was, and about those damn little pups that must be keeping her occupied. How she must be happy despite that.Then, he would want to puke, or better punch his head in the nearest rock for going there. How could he care, how could he think about someone who didn't give a shit was maddening. Yeah he had caved and left some deer for them.  Why he knew he needed to cut her out of his life,  it wasn't as easy for him as it had been for her. But without a doubt if he saw Craw again, this time the rogue wouldn't be the one apologizing. Skoll and Nicolo were on the same list.

Rigid shoulders he cussed under his breath. This was why he was making a point to stay away from the Ridge, from the north. That annoying voice in his head kept telling him he felt that way because of her. Right now, he was worried he was pushing his luck. Damn it was hot. Why climbing the Heights was a great way to distance himself, he wasn't getting as far as he thought. A frown tugging his mouth down, he encouraged himself to go up just to that splayed rock at the top.

During the climb the smell of caribou, and water crept in his nostrils. Taunting him, but none the less helping him get higher. It wasn't till he reached his goal did he notice the dark wolf napping at the hillside. Or wait...was he dead? A crinkle of his nose, a cautious couple of steps were taken. He did not smell death.. "Hey, you okay?" He couldn't just leave the guy dead right there, surely someone was missing him. But, Ren wouldn't know anything about that.

(This post was last modified: Jul 08, 2016, 05:38 AM by Renier.)

An eyelid opened lazily at the sound of a voice, and Darkmoon groggily focused on the form of a wolf. With a start, he jumped up, senses suddenly on alert. How could he have dropped his guard like this? Idiot, he chided himself. Surprised by the unwelcome presence, Darkmoon instantly placed himself in a defensive position, body lowered, ears back and teeth bared, hoping to placate the stranger, rather than their encounter boiling down to tooth and claw. It did not take him long, however, to realise this wolf held no ill will towards him, and he gradually calmed down. Still on guard, his posture maintained rigid and slightly crouched, ready to move at the slightest need.
    Darkmoon cleared his throat, feeling awkward and foolish. He gazed steadily at the wolf before averting his eyes and venturing a careful apology. "I, uh, apologise," he said curtly, eyes fixed on the ground. He did not intend to make conversation, and hoped the other would give up quickly and leave him alone.
    To make himself more comfortable, Darkmoon gazed about himself, taking in their location. The caribou were still there, although they had dispersed somewhat and the path to the river was more open now. He licked his lips at the thought of water, and once again remembered how thirsty he was. He longed to take a drink, but did not dare move from his position in case the other wolf should turn on him. He sighed and waited to see how the wolf would react next.

@Renier so sorry for the wait!

(This post was last modified: Sep 30, 2016, 12:49 PM by Darkmoon.)

@Darkmoon no worries. :3

Renier Lyall
you can set yourself on fire, but you're never gonna learn

The rouge was greeted by a pair of hazel eyes. Thank God. Whatever thoughts and plans of action he had faded away. Since he wasn't deceased, new ones were beginning to form. But, oddly despite the dark wolf's defensive display, Renier didn't react. He merely stared. The Lyall didn't see him as a current threat or he wouldn't have came over. Instead he was wondering what may have brought him to his current circumstances? It had to be some form of hell. What was God trying to tell him now?

Slowly, but surely the stranger seemed to realize if Ren was going to hurt him or he would have done so. Golden eyes watched the man briefly before switching to the caribou, hoping to to put him at ease. For both their benefit the rogue remained where he was, his posture attentive yet relaxed. He still wasn't sure who he had stumbled on. Lately, the list got more erratic. Most wanting to be left alone.

The loner mumbled a lame apology. Least, it didn't seem like it had taken much effort. Why it could have hit him the wrong way,  the Lyall let his golden irises rest on him. Taking in what the man didn't say. He shrugged his russet-colored shoulders."Understandable," he offered, in a rather friendly tone. Quite unlike himself. He was usually nonchalant. Don't give damn. Not my problem. Any other time he would have walked off. He wouldn't have given another thought. This fellow looked more lost than he was. Those brown eyes kept wandering over to the water. "I can leave you to your business, but if you want to get over there least you could do is ask. " That was more Renier. With a sharp grin, he stepped around the loner, his brows dipped over his gaze in determination and concentration.  Oh those caribou could be moved.

Darkmoon allowed himself to relax at the wolf's amiable reply. It did not seem like his acquaintance was going to cause any trouble, so long as he did not start anything first. He did not plan on angering this wolf, though, far from it; it was larger, fitter, better fed than he was. Darkmoon was still struggling, living off scant meals, mostly rotting carcasses that had already been cleaned of most of their meat. His fur stuck out at odd angles, matting here and there, and with most of his energy going into tracking down and losing prey, he had little time to give anything else any care. He had grown relatively used to his sorry state, however, and the hunger pangs had become dull aches. He had learned to conserve his energy as he could, but that definitely left no room for fighting - and barely any for running.
    I can leave you to your business, but if you want to get over there least you could do is ask. Darkmoon cocked his head at the wolf, unsure of what to make of this. Was it...offering him help? He watched as the stranger moved around him to face the caribou, making sure not to let the wolf leave his sight. He cleared his throat, unsure of what to do next. His gaze flicked between the wolf and the caribou, then onto the water. He licked his lips, his mouth parched. "Oh, well," he said distantly, barely able to drag his focus away from the river, off in his own world. He sat in silence for a moment before realising he had not properly addressed what was said. "It err, yes - there was something I was trying to do." He turned his attention back to the wolf, peering at him suspiciously. "I don't understand though," he said, back to his usual, reserved self, "what would I ask you for?" In part he was genuinely confused, not entirely catching the wolf's drift; however, he was not just about to accept help from any random stranger he came across.

@Renier

There is a deer that was killed by a lynx nearby. +10 Health

@Darkmoon

Renier Lyall
you can set yourself on fire, but you're never gonna learn

Snout tipped back to the dark loner. But, other than the small sound he made in his throat he wondered if he had even heard him. He had likely been without water for a time, and it was messing with his logic now. Did he not take care of himself? Did he want to die? Eyelids brushed over his eyes for a brief moment, honing his patience for the younger man. The Lyall did want to help him, he severely needed it. But, this point he didn't want to get him injured, worse killed. He wasn't about to deem him a lost cause.

Again, it was obvious he craved, needed a good drink. The grin on the rogue's face pulled a little more. He felt like he was working with a distrustful racoon than wolf with the look he was given. What he would need of him. He shook his head. A 'really, you're going to make me explain' look to his face. "To help you get some caribou moved so you could get a drink. I think you sorta want to keep living...don't you?" He was barely managing. This time, the russet toned wolf didn't wait. A fierce bark broke from his lungs, rolling against the walls of rock, and sure enough getting the caribou's attention. Eyes popped, and a rounds of bleats carried along the herd. Noticing two wolves instead of one. Once more, his eyes made their way to the loner's. Well?

(This post was last modified: Oct 12, 2016, 04:14 AM by Renier.)

Darkmoon glared at the stranger as the grin grew on his muzzle. Who did he think he was? His patience was wearing thin, and was only weakened further as the wolf shook his head and gave him the look. He did not take ridicule well at the best of times, let alone when he was hungry, thirsty and tired. He bristled with anger, feeling the hairs along his nape and rump begin to rise, but this feeling quickly abated when the wolf spoke. Now he understood what the wolf was about. With a sinking feeling, he realised how much he must have looked like an ass; but he did not show it. Instead, he looked at the wolf dully, and nodded slowly, to show he understood.
    However, the wolf was not interested in whether or not Darkmoon had understood; he was off without another word, barking and running towards the caribou. The action caused a ruckus as caribou moved off in all directions, panicked at the appearance of another wolf. Darkmoon stared after the stranger for a moment, surprised at his behaviour, before a wry smile spread across his muzzle. Catching the gaze of the wolf, he nodded again and ran after him, chuckling to himself as he felt the adrenaline surge through his body.
    He could not run as fast as his acquaintance, but he still managed to get moving, his claws churning the earth beneath him as he moved forward. A young, inexperienced caribou broke away from the herd towards the wolves, and in a fit of glee Darkmoon ran towards it, snapping his jaws at the beast. The caribou skidded to a halt, the whites of its eyes showing at Darkmoon's display. It quickly turned tail and ran back towards its herd, leaving Darkmoon to laugh to himself as he trotted over towards the male. The path to the river had just about cleared, and it was plain to see the plan had worked. A few stragglers galloped between the wolves and their goal, but the majority of the herd had moved on, and begun to settle again to graze further on from the pair. "That was...good," he said to the wolf, his words coming out between pants.

@Renier

(This post was last modified: Oct 14, 2016, 11:20 AM by Darkmoon.)

@Darkmoon

Renier Lyall
you can set yourself on fire, but you're never gonna learn

Looking back, there was finally an understanding. In fact it seemed the loner's mood did a 360. He moved into action, laughter following, as he helped move the caribou onward. Renier kept his own goal in mind, keeping the base of the herd moving until they got a young stray.

The Lyall was at the ready to take care of the matter, but his ruffled companion quickly went to action. A sharp snap, that left the caribou with little choice when it came to fight or flight. There was the younger wolf's laugh again. If he had lived more in that moment of chase, then he had in months. The rogue's red colored tail waved, mid height behind him, as he caught his own breath. Eyes lingering a minute longer on the herd to see they weren't about to give them more trouble, before coming to rest on the loner. "Yes, it was," he agreed, his grin somehow still on his lips.

After his own excursion water sounded good. He took in a long breath, slipping to the river to lap up a few rounds. His silver mask still, as his eyes came to rest upon the other man. "Better?" He could use some food, he wasn't sure if either of them were up for that. But, the water and moment of exercise had to have been better than nothing. "I'm Renier," he offered, hoping maybe the man wasn't going to look at him like he was an ignorant jerk again. "You ever think about joining a pack? You seem like you'd be a decent hunter."

(This post was last modified: Oct 16, 2016, 01:35 AM by Renier.)

(Did you want to go after that lynx kill?)

Darkmoon stood panting, as the two wolves watched the remnants of the herd move on. He had not experienced that much excitement for a while, especially as he had actively avoided large, dangerous prey in his state. The other wolf was the first to make a move to the river, however, after agreeing with Darkmoon's remark. Darkmoon followed him down to the water, excitedly dipping his head to its reflective surface, relishing its cool, refreshing taste. He had not realised just how thirsty he was until he started to drink, and spent quite some time quenching his thirst. He took care to watch his companion from the corner of his eye, still not entirely able to trust them; or very much at all. Still, though a complete stranger, the wolf had done him a kindness, and Darkmoon was not about to brush that aside.
    Darkmoon's head turned to regard the wolf as he introduced himself. Renier. He sighed inwardly, clenching his teeth. He supposed this meant he would have to introduce himself now. Not convinced it was the best thing to do, to reveal something so personal to a stranger, he nevertheless replied simply with, "Darkmoon." It was what Renier said next that truly caught him off guard, though. He had never thought about what use he could be to a pack. When he had traveled with Xolea, had been of more trouble than benefit, still very green to fending for himself. Since then, he had progressed little, except in his ability to seek out rotting meats and chase off crows and ravens; but if this wolf thought he could be useful, maybe he was...? No, that's stupid, he thought. How could someone he had never met before possibly be a good judge of his worth and character? Darkmoon shook his head to Renier. "No," he said, guardedly, "I haven't." He paused and looked at Renier, before sliding his eyes to the ground, ashamed. "I...don't know much in the way of hunting," he confessed, hard eyes looking back up to Renier, watching for his response.

@Renier